Explorium fundraisers have a ball

The Ocean Explorium has held fundraisers for educational programs over the past three years, but on Sunday for the first time, teams from New Bedford and surrounding towns filled all the lanes for the Fish Bowl 2014.

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By Carol Kozma

southcoasttoday.com

By Carol Kozma

Posted Jan. 27, 2014 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jan 29, 2014 at 11:28 AM

By Carol Kozma

Posted Jan. 27, 2014 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jan 29, 2014 at 11:28 AM

» Social News

NEW BEDFORD — The Ocean Explorium has held fundraisers for educational programs at Wonder Bowl lanes over the past three years, but on Sunday for the first time, teams from New Bedford and surrounding towns filled all the lanes for the Fish Bowl 2014.

"The first year we had 33 teams with four bowlers (each), this year, we had 40 teams," said Patrice Coholan, a member of the Explorium's board and a weekend bowler at Wonder Bowl, where she belongs to two league teams.

"Each bowler is asked to raise $50," she said, but many raised more. "Last year we made about $17,000; this year I am hoping $20,000."

The teams ranged from Horizon Marine Inc., an oceanographic research company that follows ocean currents, the WB Mason store, The Back Eddy restaurant, St. James-St. John Catholic School in New Bedford, Ocean Explorium volunteers and staff, two teams from the New Bedford Police Department, and one team from the Massachusetts State Police.

"So if anyone gets rowdy we are covered," Coholan said laughing.

Al Dias, chairman of the board, said he expects to surpass $20,000.

The Explorium's educational programs range from field trips for students in Southeastern Massachusetts, Boy and Girl Scout troops, and more, said Pat Cassan, director of administration and finance and one of the organizers.

"It's an amazing turnout this year, it really is," Cassan said. She estimated more than 150 bowlers attended, and revenue from each bowler who raised at least $50 accounted for about $8,000.

Additionally, the Explorium raffled donated prizes, ranging from Red Sox and Celtics tickets, North Face jackets, a one-year YMCA membership to sightseeing flights. Raffle tickets were sold for $2, three for $5, or eight for $10, Cassan said.

Dana Rainha of Dartmouth, who bowled with co-workers of Sylvia and Co. Insurance Agency Inc., won the first of 14 prizes, a one-month total fitness membership with two training sessions and a gift certificate to Kaleidoscope of Dance and Gymnastics.

"It was a lot of fun. It's nice to do things outside of work with your co-workers," she said.

Mariela Coholan was part of a team from St. John-St. James, and wore a jellyfish costume. Her teammates raised money by holding a "dress-down day" at the school: Students were allowed not to wear their uniform if they brought in a dollar. The team raised $175 and each teammate pitched in $5 to raise the $200 to play.

Mariela said the principal commended the teamwork.

"She said that it was a really good idea and a really good cause," she said. "It's also going to be fun, so it's the best of both worlds."

Awards were given for best team costume, best team spirit, best team score, best individual score and top fundraiser, and an award was given to the St. John St. James team.

Jocelyn Mitchell of Fairhaven, who started working for the Explorium as an education floor supervisor in June, said this was the first year she attended.

"It's a great event for a great cause," she said.

Her favorite part of the job, she said, was when kids feed the sharks and the stingrays, especially when she sees children who are scared at first and then open up.

"One kid told me he wanted to be a scientist after a field trip, and that was really cool," she said.

Beth Lecomte, Monica Biszco, Maureen Monteiro and Michelle Tribb of the Back Eddy restaurant came dressed as mermaids, and have been bowling for the fundraiser since the beginning.

"It's a lot of fun, we look forward to it, we put a lot of time into our costumes," Tribb said.

Clark Gee of Marion, who works for Marine Horizons, came for the third year, as well, along with his wife, Margaret.

"It's good fun, it's great that the whole place got sold out to us, and it looks like everybody is having fun," he said after bowling a strike.